The Department of Mysteries

           HarrywoundhishandtightlyintothemaneofthenearestThestral,placedafootonastumpnearbyandscrambledclumsilyontothehorse’ssilkenback.Itdidnotobject,buttwisteditsheadaround,fangsbared,andattemptedtocontinueitseagerlickingofhisrobes.

           Hefoundtherewasawayoflodginghiskneesbehindthewingjointsthatmadehimfeelmoresecure,thenlookedaroundattheothers.NevillehadheavedhimselfoverthebackofthenextThestralandwasnowattemptingtoswingoneshortlegoverthecreature’sback.Lunawasalreadyinplace,sittingside-saddleandadjustingherrobesasthoughshedidthiseveryday.Ron,HermioneandGinny,however,werestillstandingmotionlessonthespot,open-mouthedandstaring.

           ’What?’hesaid.

           ’How’rewesupposedtogeton?’saidRonfaintly.’Whenwecan’tseethethings?’

           ’Oh,it’seasy,’saidLuna,slidingobliginglyfromherThestralandmarchingovertohim,HermioneandGinny.’Comehere...’

           ShepulledthemovertotheotherThestralsstandingaroundandonebyonemanagedtohelpthemontothebackoftheirmount.Allthreelookedextremelynervousasshewoundtheirhandsintotheirhorsesmaneandtoldthemtogriptightlybeforeshegotbackontoherownsteed.

           ’Thisismad,’Ronmurmured,movinghisfreehandgingerlyupanddownhishorse’sneck.’Mad...ifIcouldjustseeit—’

           ’You’dbetterhopeitstaysinvisible,’saidHarrydarkly.’Weallready,then?’

           Theyallnoddedandhesawlivepairsofkneestightenbeneaththeirrobes.